Prince William and Kate Middleton braved stormy winds to christen a new lifeboat in Wales this morning. Ever the fashion plate, the winsome Middleton donned a headpiece from British milliner Philip Treacy, a flattering camel coat, black scarf, and black court shoes. Hundreds of Britons turned out for the couple’s first official public engagement since announcing their wedding in April. William is currently stationed in the Welsh coastal town as a search-and-rescue pilot, and the couple plan to live in Anglesey once they are married.

Middleton’s plumed topper is spot on trend; pheasant feathers are quintessentially English, appearing all over London Fashion Week at Issa London, Vivienne Westwood, Holly Fulton, and Roksanda Illincic. Treacy has designed hats for Alexander McQueen, Karl Lagerfeld, and Lady Gaga. His most famous client (before Middleton) was the late fashion editor Isabella Blow.

Middleton has been a fan of Britain’s resident mad hatter Treacy since 2006, when she wore a large black hat to William’s graduation from Sandhurst Academy. Camilla, Duchess of York (and Middleton’s future stepmother-in-law) introduced Treacy to Middleton after he designed an innovative wheat-themed headdress for her royal wedding in 2005.

Treacy recently confirmed that Middleton asked him to design a special headpiece for her wedding on April 29. Though she will most likely wear a grand veil during the ceremony, palace insiders have suggested that Middleton will have several costume changes throughout the evening. Here’s hoping that Kate uses Treacy’s more eccentric designs on the big day. After all, the world will be watching.

For more information about Philip Treacy, visit http://www.philiptreacy.co.uk/.

*All images courtesy of Getty.